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It is always so nice to return to Siófok! Anyone who has visited the town knows, that the experiences will involuntarily bring you back to the summer capital, does not matter which season it is because you can never be bored here!

The town’s main natural treasure is Lake Balaton that plays a key role in the everyday life of Siófok with its 17 km coastline.

The waterfront, the vibrant nightlife create a summer Mediterranean flair passes through the town, then the autumn-winter season is packed with high-quality gastronomic festivals, family activities on the Main Square, all the way until next summer. After all, this is where the Balaton starts!

SIÓFOK, WHERE THE BALATON STARTS!

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SopronGYŐR-MOSON-SOPRON

Győr

Tatabánya

Szombathely

Veszprém Székesfehérvár

DunaújvárosZalaegerszeg

Nagykanizsa

KaposvárSzekszárd

Pécs

VESZPRÉM

VAS

ZALASOMOGY

KOMÁROM-ESZTERGOM

FEJÉR

TOLNA

BARANYA

SalgótarjánEger

Miskolc

Jászberény

Kecskemét

Szolnok

Szeged

Hódmezővásárhely

Békéscsaba

Debrecen

NyíregyházaNÓGRÁD

PEST

HEVES

JÁSZ-NAGYKUN-SZOLNOK

BÁCS-KISKUNCSONGRÁD

BÉKÉS

HAJDÚ-BIHAR

SZABOLCS-SZATMÁR-BEREG

BORSOD-ABAÚJ-ZEMPLÉN

BUDAPEST

SIÓFOK

HUNGARY

The Roman emperor, Galerius ordered to build a sluice on Lake Balaton

Fuk was the name of the village in 1137. Siófok, as the name of the town is known since 1790

1137 1705Ferenc Rákóczi, II, Prince of Transylvania, gave a seal to Fok, upon which the current coat of arms of Siófok was formed

HISTORYOF SIÓFOK

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The parish churchwas built in

Baroque style

1736The steamship company of Lake Balaton was founded,

people can travel onKisfaludy ship since then

1846The railway between

Buda and Nagykanizsawas opened

1861Siófok got a

railway stop for the trains

1863

Former Sió and Hullám hotels were opened

The new bath areahad its ceremonial opening

1893 1904The rebuilt RomanCatholic Churchwas consecrated

1893

Bathhouse with “Hungarian Sea” inscription was

completed

1878

The Water Towerwas built up

1912Siófok was attached to Somogy

County (earlier it belonged to Veszprém County)

1950Declaration of

Siófok as a town, the local hospital

was opened

1968

Lutheran church constructed by the plans of Imre Makovecz was consecrated

Renovation of the Water Tower, in the new building function a lookout tower, café, and Tourinform office

2012 2018 Siófok has beena town for 50 years 1990

Southern Lake Balaton Cultural Centre was opened (today’s Imre Kálmán Cultural Centre)

1976

SEBESTYÉN JÓZSEF MATYIKÓ(1951-2014)student of local lore, ethnographer, poet and writer; received posthumus honorary citizen award in 2016

HONORARYCITIZENS OF SIÓFOK

DR. FERENC VARGA(1942-2013)executive medical director; received posthumus honorary citizen award in 2015

JÁNOS APÁTI(1938-)music teacher, composer, musician; received honorary citizen award in 2015

DR. VILMOS OLÁH(1927-)chief surgeon; received honorary citizen award in 2014

FERENC ZACHEMSKI (1918-2017)certified mechanical engineer; received honorary citizen awardin 2011

VALIANT FERENC HOLL(1939-)charter member of the Order of the Valiant World Union of 1956; received honorary citizen awardin 2011

DR. JÁNOS WIRTH(1931-)catholic priest;received honorary citizenaward in 2007

LEVENTE CSÁSZÁR(1944-)retired evangelical clergyman; received honorary citizen awardin 2007

IMRE TÍMÁR(1929-2007)chorus-master; received honorary citizen award in 1999

ELEK CSISZÁR(1932-)painter; received honorarycitizen award in 1998

ENDRE MUZSINSZKI NAGY(1886-1975)painter; received posthumus honorary citizen award in 1998

DR. ANTAL VICZIÁN(1916-2000)medical director; receivedhonorary citizen award in 1996

DR. ISTVÁN KOPÁR(1925-2016)nautical director; receivedhonorary citizen award in 1996

IMRE KÁLMÁN(1882-1953)composer of operetta; received posthumus honorary citizen award in 1993

FERENC KENEDY(1912-1993)teacher, student of local lore; received honorary citizen awardin 1992

DR. FERENC ZÁKONYI (1909-1991)science writer of tourism, researcher of local history; received honorary citizen award in 1991

IMRE VARGA(1923-)sculptor; received honorarycitizen award in 1985

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WATER TOWER • 11 Main Square (Fő tér) • The symbol of Siófok was built in 1912. Since 2012 Tourinform office, look-out and café await the guests. RAILWAY STATION • Millennium park • Siófok got its railway stop in 1863. Today’s railway station was put in operation in 1904. FORMER SIÓ ÉS HULLÁM HOTELS • 1 Petőfi promenade • These buildings were the first hotels of Siófok, opened in 1891. After 1945 they operated as holiday-homes. From 2001 the buildings serve educational goals. VILLA JÓKAI • 2 Batthyány Street • The famous Hungarian writer, Mór Jókai spent his last summer of his life in this house as the owner’s guest in 1903. VILLA KRÚDY • 4 Road of Martyrs • Krúdy Gyula, the famous Hungarian writer spent his summer holidays between 1914 and 1919 in this pension. He met his future wife here in 1915. VILLA THANHOFFER • 4 Karinthy Street • The villa that was owned by Lajos Tanhoffer medical professor was built in 1897. Today it is the belongings of the town, operating as a guesthouse. THE BENEVOLENT ANGEL OF PEACE • Port of Siófok • The sculptor is Pjotr Tyimofejevics Sztronszkij’s creation, representing a gilded angel holding a dove in her hands, which is the international symbol of peace, friendship and harmony. It was consecrated in 2012. ROMAN CATHOLIC PARISH CHURCH • 57 Main Street (Fő utca) • It was built in neo roman style in 1903, in honour of the Visitation. The architect was Károly Csomai. In this church we can find the biggest organ in Lake Balaton area.LUTHERAN CHURCH • Oulu park • The plans of the church and parish that was built between 1987-90 was made by Imre Makovecz, Kossuth-awarded architect. It is located in Oulu park, named after our Finnish twin town.CALVINIST TEMPLOM • 10-13 Kele Street • The construction of this modern-style church was based on the plans of János Ripszám and György Pápay. It was consecrated in 1994. SYNAGOGUE • 4 Széchenyi Street • The first synagogue of Siófok was built in 1870 and demolished in the 1980’s. Today’s building was opened in 1986.

BUILT HERITAGE

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The blueness of Lake Balaton and the greenery of the parks create wonderful harmony in Siófok that will be memorable for all nature-lovers.

We do not have to go far from the town centre if we want to get out to the comforting green belt. Coming out our form the Railway Station the elegant Millennium Park welcomes us.

Jókai Park and the lakeside Rose garden grant a fabulous view in all the four seasons for those who seek the silence of nature.

Sió Channel crossing through the town can be explored by bicycle or kayak.

For longer hikes the most ideal place is Töreki Nature Conversation Area, with its 9-kilometre-long educational path.

NATURAL TREASURES

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Siófok is the most significant tourist centre of Lake Balaton. Here is the biggest and most diverse supply of accommodation.

Its primary attraction is the waterfront: beaches, shipping, water sports.

Beyond the high season, bicycle tourism, Galerius Spa, and various events are determining tourism. Easter Festival is a splendid family event; the Withsun Season Opening has a long tradition here. The bustling New Orleans Jazz Festival and the traditional Wine and Bread Festival take place during the summer months. Fish Festival is the dash of colour of the autumn while the Town’s Day, Christmas market and New Year’s Eve Party make the year-end cosy.

TOURISM

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The cultural life of Siófok is vivid and diverse; the town provides excellent performances both for guests and locals.

Theatre performances take place on the open-air stage, called “Színpart” in the summer while in the winter period they are organized in Imre Kálmán Cultural Centre. Recognized presenters perform in the local library as well.

We celebrate Imre Kálmán, the world-famous operettist, the native of Siófok in every autumn during Imre Kálmán Memorial Days. His former house of birth now can be visited as a museum.

CULTURE

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Several thousand students study in the educational institutes of Siófok: in three primary schools, four secondary schools and a college.

Mór Perczel Grammar School provides bilingual education in English and German languages.

In Gyula Krúdy Vocational School there is a high-standard education of catering trades, while in Gábor Baross Vocational School students can choose from trades of the fields of construction industry, engineering and light industry.

The local educational centre of Dénes Gábor College provide BA programmes, postgraduate specialist training courses, higher-level vocational trainings in fields of economy, tourism and informatics.

EDUCATION

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The Hospital and Policlinics of Siófok is as old as the town, it celebrates the 50th anniversary of its establishment.

As a result of continuous developments today it occupies dominant position in patients’ healing of this area.

The hospital ensures medical attendance on 327 beds, on 8 in-patients hospital wards, in 15 professions both for the inhabitants of the town and for domestic and foreign tourists staying here temporarily.

More private health centres operate in the town, where different natural and ayurvedic treatments, therapies can be applied.

HEALTHCARE

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Siófok offers various sports facilities all year round:

• renovated bicycle roads• 17-kilometre long coastline for water sports • sailing on Lake Balaton • kajak-kenu on Sió Channel• a skate park for extreme sport fans • outdoor fitness parks

Sports halls and football stadium are at service of the professional teams of the town; men’s football team of second division and women’s handball team of first division

SPORT

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Tasks and competences of the local government are exerted by the city council. The 11-member city council is headed by the town major whose work is supported by two deputy majors. The executive of the bureau is the notary, who is nominated by the town mayor.Members of the city council: • town mayor• two deputy mayors• committee of the city council• bureau of the local government• notary5 committees support the operation of the city council: • Committee of Tourism and Law Enforcement• Committee of National Resources• Committee of Conflicting Interest and Ethnics• Committee of Finance and Proprietary • Committee of Urban Development and Environment Protection

LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF SIÓFOK

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The twin cities of Siófok

Oulu (Finland), 1978. Netanya (Israel), 1990. Gyergyószentmiklós (Transylvania), 1990. Walnut Creek (California, USA), 1993. Waldheim (Germany), 1997. Poreč (Croatia), 1998. Pärnu (Estonia), 2001. Saint Laurent-du-Var (France), 2002.

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The partner cities of Siófok

Landsberg (Germany) Poerto Vallarta (Mexico) Daruvár (Croatia)

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TESTVÉRVÁROSIKAPCSOLATOK

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